Schuylkill County Teen to Reign as Pa. Fair Queen

2/2/2013 7:00 AM

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Rhonda Carl of Hegins, Schuylkill County, Pa., was crowned the 2013 Pennsylvania Fair Queen, on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the annual joint convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association.

“The future of Pennsylvania agriculture is in good hands thanks to the 55 contestants in this program who advocate for fairs and the industry,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig said.

Carl, daughter of Robert and Carla Mae Carl, is a 17-year-old student at Tri-Valley High School. She will receive a $2,000 scholarship from the state fair association. A representative of the Schuylkill County Fair, Carl was crowned by outgoing Pennsylvania Fair Queen Drew An Brubaker of Lancaster County.

Contestants are evaluated on their public speaking skills and knowledge of the agriculture industry, as well as on their poise and personal presentation in an evening gown competition.

Five finalists were chosen and gave an impromptu answer on how they would encourage consumers to purchase Pennsylvania agricultural products.

Big Butler Fair Queen Sarah Wilson, 19, of Portersville, Butler County, Pa., was first runner-up. The daughter of David and Elizabeth Wilson, she is a sophomore at the University of Akron studying nursing and psychology.

Rounding out the top five finalists were: Rachael Sue Grosvenor, Harford Fair in Susquehanna County; Christa Ziefel, Greene County Fair; and Brennen Register, Clinton County Fair.

Register was also named “Miss Congeniality,” an award voted on by the other contestants.

The three judges were Jim Diamond, Ottsville, Bucks County, Pa.; Jean Lonie, Easton, Northampton County, Pa.; and Wanda Waugh, Glen Rock, York County, Pa. The master of ceremonies for the event was Kevin Bieber of Oley, Berks County, Pa.